Ilkley AFC 4, Kirkby Malzeard 2

A Harrogate League Challenge Cup final place was at stake as the Booth's sponsored Ilkley AFC faced Kirkby Malzeard for the fourth time this season at West Holmes on Saturday.

Thankfully, Ilkley proved too good once again for spirited opponents who took an early lead but ran out of steam as the home side's better quality shone alongside the spring sunshine.

Reinforced by the return of Hughes and Trimnell Ilkley began with the team that defeated Pannal last week but displayed a lack-lustre beginning as Kirkby players were first out of the blocks.

With a slight wind advantage, Kirkby launched passes forward at every opportunity and Andy Bloom and Adam Williams made important tackles to repel attacks.

Unable to spring full-backs Graham Richardson and Simon Tweddle into attacking positions, Ilkley midfielders Giles and Knox found the Kirkby players snapping persistently at their heels as Ilkley struggled to get started in the first 20 minutes.

With wide players Stockdale and James Wilson also unable to make much headway against quick tackling opponents, it was no surprise to home supporters when the visitors took the lead after 25 minutes.

Conceding a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, Ilkley players dawdled in getting organised and with goalkeeper Bainbridge still lining-up the defensive wall, Dunkley side-footed the ball into the far corner.

The response was almost immediate, as Hall twisted clear in the penalty-area only to direct his shot at Scatcherd in the Kirkby goal. Minutes later, a fine cross-field pass by Tweddle found Richardson breaking forward and the full-back cut inside but drilled his shot wide.

The equaliser came after 35 minutes when Richardson's corner found Tweddle in the penalty area and his low shot skimmed past Wilson and the Kirkby goalkeeper.

Thereafter, Kirkby relied on occasional breaks and free-kicks to threaten the Ilkley goal and Dunkley headed wide as there was momentary hesitation in the home defence.

A 1-1 half-time score probably reflected the shared first-half but the impression was that Kirkby were at full stretch and Ilkley had yet to get started.

Thankfully, Ilkley's start to the second-half was better than the first as Kirkby struggled to break out of their half.

Scatcherd gathered Richardson's corner confidently before he blocked Hoyle's point-blank flick and was then grateful to watch Hall's glancing header drift over the bar.

After 60 minutes Ilkley took the lead when Wilson's superb long cross was headed back across goal by Hoyle for Hall to sweep the ball first-time past Scotched.

A stunning and clinically executed goal that signalled a period of dominance by Ilkley. As Ilkley players took a breather, a rare attack by Kirkby saw Long sneak inside Bloom and his low cross was stabbed into the Ilkley net by Graham to make the score 2-2.

Rejuvenated, Kirkby players launched themselves into several reckless challenges that saw referee Todd book five visiting players in an effort to calm the storm.

The best way to answer this shock equaliser was for Ilkley to score soon, and Hoyle obliged after 75 minutes when he combined with Hall and Giles to dribble clear in the penalty area before blasting the ball past Scatcherd for a convincing finish.

The same player than saw the Kirkby 'keeper pull-off two fantastic saves as point-blank range as Ilkley pressed for a fourth goal.

Undaunted and with Kirkby players flagging, a scintillating move between Hoyle, Wilson and Tweddle saw the latter's high-quality cross flash across the six yard box.

Wilson replicated the move minutes later and substitute Hughes launched himself at the ball to head emphatically past Scatcherd to seal the game for Ilkley.

A superb finish and the season's first semi-final successfully negotiated as the players seek some silverware.

On Saturday Ilkley entertain Bedale in a league game at the Ilkley Grammar School field (kick-off 2pm) before moving along to Pool's ground to support Ilkley Reserves in the Alverton Trophy final against Wellington (kick-off 5.30pm).